Rhimmunoglobuliinia

Rhimmunoglobuliinia, also known as Rh immune globulin or RhoGAM, is a medication used to prevent Rh sensitization in Rh-negative individuals. Rh sensitization occurs when an Rh-negative person is exposed to Rh-positive blood, typically during pregnancy when an Rh-positive fetus's blood cells enter the Rh-negative mother's bloodstream. This exposure can trigger the mother's immune system to produce antibodies against the Rh factor.

These anti-Rh antibodies can cause a condition called hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) in future Rh-positive pregnancies. HDN can lead to serious complications for the fetus, including anemia, jaundice, and even fetal death. Rhimmunoglobuliinia works by preventing this immune response.

The medication contains antibodies that bind to and neutralize any Rh-positive fetal blood cells that may have entered the mother's circulation. This prevents the mother's immune system from recognizing these cells as foreign and producing its own antibodies. Rhimmunoglobuliinia is typically administered to Rh-negative pregnant women at around 28 weeks of gestation and again within 72 hours after delivery if the baby is Rh-positive. It is also given after any event that could cause fetal-maternal blood mixing, such as amniocentesis, miscarriage, or abdominal trauma during pregnancy. The use of Rhimmunoglobuliinia has dramatically reduced the incidence of HDN.